McLaren’s latest partnership with Lego has been revealed, with a 1:1 scale model of the Senna built entirely from Lego blocks. McLaren has prior form with Lego, previously revealing the Lego-built 720S, but the Senna’s more intricate bodywork, and overhanging aero makes this one very impressive feat.

The model is constructed from a total of 467,854 Lego pieces, and took nearly 5000 man hours to assemble, which is a staggering nine times longer than it takes to build an actual Senna, and that car is hardly a Vauxhall Corsa.

As well as the standard Lego bricks, the model also incorporates real McLaren components where applicable, including the same wheels and tyres, carbonfibre driver’s seat, pedals and badges. The dihedral doors are even removable, giving access to the somewhat polymorphic interior.

All of this plastic has a cost, namely a weight of 1700kg, which is around 500kg more than what the real car weighs. The physical interior, in part, contributes to the Senna’s extra 200,000 Lego pieces compared to the 720S, and we suspect the massive rear wing proved to be quite a tricky exercise to engineer too, as it’s quite a substantial weight to suspend.

It’ll be on show throughout 2019 at various McLaren events, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the summer. Unsurprisingly, this kit is not available for general consumption, and even if it was, it’s Lego, so you would have to start saving…

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/full-scale-mclaren-senna-constructed-from-nearly-500000-lego-bricks/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2019/03/Full-scale-McLaren-Senna-6-featured.jpgimage/jpegLister launches F-type SVR-beating 666bhp LFT-Chttps://www.crankandpiston.com/lister-launches-f-type-svr-beating-666bhp-lft-c/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/lister-launches-f-type-svr-beating-666bhp-lft-c/#respondWed, 20 Mar 2019 13:39:34 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=133248Britain’s longest established racing car manufacturer has unveiled an open-top variant of its F-type-based LFT-666 Lister Motor Company has laid its hands on the Jaguar F-type once again, this time, for the creation of a 666bhp drop-top monster. In response to customer demand for an open-top LFT-666, the sports car manufacturer set to work to create its […]

]]>Britain’s longest established racing car manufacturer has unveiled an open-top variant of its F-type-based LFT-666
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Lister Motor Company has laid its hands on the Jaguar F-type once again, this time, for the creation of a 666bhp drop-top monster.

In response to customer demand for an open-top LFT-666, the sports car manufacturer set to work to create its most powerful convertible car to date, with an uprated version of the F-type’s 5-litre supercharged V8, body modifications and a bespoke interior.

Under the bonnet, the LFT-C receives tweaks to take power to 666bhp, almost 100bhp more than that of Jaguar’s range-topping F-type SVR. It’s therefore quicker too, with the 0-100kph sprint taking just 3.3sec (quoted) and top speed coming at over 330kph. Whilst under the bonnet, you’ll also find a solid silver plaque on the engine cover, denoting which of the ten LFT-Cs you have.

Alongside the significant bump in power comes the same lightweight wheels, bespoke exhaust and uprated suspension and braking system featured on the LFT-666 coupe. Lister-made carbonfibre body panels are also included, as well as a new front bumper, front splitter, rear diffuser, rear lip spoiler, rear extended wheelarches and new grille design to set it apart from a standard car.

CEO of Lister, Lawrence Whittaker, said: ‘Launching the new LFT-C is a personal triumph, as I have always loved convertible cars, even since my second car, an MG Midget. While we are famous for cars like the Knobbly and the Storm, the LFT series heralds a new era for Lister and continues our historical enhancement of Jaguar drivetrains, which dates back to 1957.’

In addition to the production LFT-666 and LFT-C models, the brand also offers upgrades for all standard Jaguar F-type models, with kits starting from $12,970.

Each of the ten cars will be built bespoke to the customer’s specification, both inside and out, and will come with a seven-year warranty. Prices start from $185,000 and the first cars will be on the road this summer.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/lister-launches-f-type-svr-beating-666bhp-lft-c/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2019/03/Lister-launches-F-type-SVR-1-featured.jpgimage/jpegE30 BMW M3 enhanced by restorer Reduxhttps://www.crankandpiston.com/e30-bmw-m3-enhanced-by-restorer-redux/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/e30-bmw-m3-enhanced-by-restorer-redux/#respondMon, 18 Mar 2019 07:18:46 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=133059The UK-based company has worked its magic on the first M3, adding BMW motorsport-inspired performance upgrades and a redesigned interior BMW restoration specialist, Redux, is creating a new line of tweaked E30 M3s, and has delivered the first example to one lucky customer in California. You won’t find any bolt-on arches or fake carbon fibre components […]

]]>The UK-based company has worked its magic on the first M3, adding BMW motorsport-inspired performance upgrades and a redesigned interior
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BMW restoration specialist, Redux, is creating a new line of tweaked E30 M3s, and has delivered the first example to one lucky customer in California.

You won’t find any bolt-on arches or fake carbon fibre components here, with each of the 30 Redux cars undergoing a painstaking restoration to pay homage to the box-flared classic. The process starts with a bare shell stripdown, where every component of the donor car is removed to allow for correction of any imperfections. Various bodywork components are converted to carbon fibre to keep weight to a minimum, too, and are meticulously worked through to ensure all signs of fabrication are smoothed out. A full or half roll cage can be added at this stage upon request, however a standard road car configuration is also available.

Although swapping the S14 4cyl for the high-revving S65 V8 from the E92 M3 or the screaming S85 V10 from the E60 M5 was considered, it was decided that only tweaked versions of the original power plant would be used – in either naturally-aspirated or turbocharged forms. In this car’s case, to replicate the power from the DTM-spec S14 engine without the constant need to rebuild, the brand turned to forced-induction for a power output of around 387bhp and 390lb ft of torque.

Following an increase in capacity from 2.3-litres to 2.5-litres, the introduction of forced induction called for reinforced components. Custom connecting rods and pistons, a BMW Motorsport crankshaft and Motec M150 Engine Control Unit were added, alongside a reinforced gearbox, custom flywheels, a twin-plate clutch and an upgraded differential. Bespoke 3-way dampers from EXE-TC Competition Suspension can be found on the car, alongside 6-piston AP Racing front callipers (330mm discs) and 4-piston units at the rear. A hand-fabricated, steel exhaust system is also included.

The staggering attention to detail doesn’t stop there, with Alcantara, leather or cloth-trimmed interiors available. Each car can be completely tailored to the customer’s demands, so should you want a combination of all three materials, the option’s there. In this car’s case, the rear seats have been deleted and replaced with a removable rear bench with the boot offering access to the battery, differential pump, fuel pump and more.

Although pricing is upon application, these cars will very likely come at an eye-watering cost. If you can foot the bill, though, simply supply your own donor car and, in 18-24 months, you’ll have yourself a Redux-fettled E30 M3.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/e30-bmw-m3-enhanced-by-restorer-redux/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2019/03/E30-BMW-M3-1-featured.jpgimage/jpegBrabus takes Mercedes-AMG G63 to 789bhp with 800 Widestarhttps://www.crankandpiston.com/brabus-takes-mercedes-amg-g63-to-789bhp-with-800-widestar/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/brabus-takes-mercedes-amg-g63-to-789bhp-with-800-widestar/#respondTue, 12 Mar 2019 08:35:34 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=132961Standard G63 not conspicuous or quick enough? German tuner’s wide-body kit and power increase provides the answer Brabus has revealed a successor to its measly 700bhp version of the Mercedes-AMG G63. Called the 800 Widestar it takes the total output of the boxy SUV’s 4-litre twin-turbo V8 to almost 800bhp, with 737lb ft of torque. Both […]

]]>Standard G63 not conspicuous or quick enough? German tuner’s wide-body kit and power increase provides the answer
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Brabus has revealed a successor to its measly 700bhp version of the Mercedes-AMG G63. Called the 800 Widestar it takes the total output of the boxy SUV’s 4-litre twin-turbo V8 to almost 800bhp, with 737lb ft of torque. Both the exterior and interior of the model also receive significant modification to match the increase in power.

Shown for the first time at the 2019 Geneva motor show, the modified G-class’s new-found power takes it from 0 to 100kph in a claimed 4.1sec – around 0.4sec quicker than the standard G63 – and on to an electronically limited top speed of 240kph. The additional 212bhp and 111lb ft of torque over the standard version come from two new Brabus turbochargers with a larger compressor unit for 1.6bar of boost, plus an ECU tune to match the new hardware. A new valved stainless-steel exhaust system, with two side-exit pipes either side of the car, also helps the powerplant breathe.

Exterior upgrades for the model include flared wheelarches at the front and rear to create an additional 4 inches of width, larger front air intakes for improved cooling, redesigned front and rear fascias, and LED lighting on the running boards and under the side intakes; almost all of the exterior Brabus logos light up, too. The new rear wing, bonnet and spare wheel cover are all in carbonfibre, and to fill the larger arches there are Brabus-specific forged wheel choices ranging from 20 to 23 inches and fitted with 305-section tyres at the rear.

Inside, the Brabus 800 Widestar receives a substantial overhaul too, with new aluminium paddleshifters, customisable wood and/or carbonfibre inlays, a Rolls-Royce-esque ‘Starry Sky’ headliner, stainless steel scuff plates with backlit Brabus logos and a custom Mastik leather and Alcantara finish. As with almost all Brabus-fettled cars, customers will be able to configure their 800 Widestars in almost every way possible.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/brabus-takes-mercedes-amg-g63-to-789bhp-with-800-widestar/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2019/03/Brabus-takes-Mercedes-AMG-G63-1-featured.jpgimage/jpegPininfarina’s greatest cars – a history in eight iconic designshttps://www.crankandpiston.com/pininfarinas-greatest-cars-a-history-in-eight-iconic-designs/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/pininfarinas-greatest-cars-a-history-in-eight-iconic-designs/#respondSun, 17 Feb 2019 10:48:28 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=132021We break down eight of Pininfarina’s most influential designs, and reveal why it’s such a design superhero The Maserati Birdcage Concept. The Rolls-Royce Camargue. The Peugeot 406 Coupe. The Ferrari Enzo. What links these cars is not their makers, engines or era – it’s the company that penned their designs. A traditional coachbuilder, turned one of the most influential and dynamic automotive […]

]]>We break down eight of Pininfarina’s most influential designs, and reveal why it’s such a design superhero
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The Maserati Birdcage Concept. The Rolls-Royce Camargue. The Peugeot 406 Coupe. The Ferrari Enzo. What links these cars is not their makers, engines or era – it’s the company that penned their designs. A traditional coachbuilder, turned one of the most influential and dynamic automotive design dynasties in the world, Pininfarina is responsible for many of the most deftly, artfully and subtly designed masterpieces of the last 90 years.

Founded by Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina in the small town of Cambiano just outside of Turin, this master of automotive design started with no more than a small loan from his in-laws to eventually become Pininfarina, a design house spread across many disciplines, and now one of the most influential names in the business.

Pininfarina is now on the cusp of launching with its own range of self-branded electric passenger and sports cars, so now’s as good a time as any to take a look at eight iconic models through the decades that defined not only Pininfarina, but the entire world of automotive design. Iconic for their subtlety, sleight-of-hand and respect for its corresponding manufacturers, Pininfarina deserves its illustrious reputation, and the eight models below show why.

Eight iconic Pininfarina-designed models throughout the decades

1940s – Cisitalia 202 (1948)

It’s difficult to describe the importance of this little known sports car. It’s not a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or another instantly recognisable marque, but due to its design by Pininfarina himself, the Cisitalia 202 is one of the most influential and important early designs of the post-war car era.

You might spot bits of Lancia Aurelia Coupe here or Ferrari 250 SWB there, but this car came first, amalgamating what had until then been separate engine and passenger compartments into one, sleek elegant shape. The Cisitalia was an instant success at its reveal in 1947, quickly being honoured by MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) in New York, and still remains in the institution’s permanent collection – and what greater accolade in design is there than that?

1950s – Lancia Aurelia Spider B24 (1954)

The AC Cobra, BMW 507 Spider and the Ferrari 250 California Spider – all long bonnet, muscular rear haunch and tightly tucked sills, classic design traits of two-seat roadsters right through to the current day. Yet it all began on the Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider, born in 1954 and penned, of course, by Pininfarina.

Mercedes by this time had shown its 190SL Convertible at the 1954 Paris motor show, but its detached rear arches and overfenders didn’t give the Merc quite the same look as the Aurelia and the Spider’s that followed it. Rather, the Aurelia, like so many period Lancias, was an innovator, but this time thanks to the hand of Pininfarina.

1960s – Ferrari GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ (1968)

If the Cisitalia 202 changed the automotive design landscape from a pre-war to modernist post-war mentality, the 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona’ was the break into postmodernism. In a sea of curvaceous, muscular or outlandishly exaggerated designs from Europe and the US, which was now well into its car design stride, the Daytona proved once again that Pininfarina still held a unique insight into contemporary car design that would subsequently start a new trend.

The Daytona’s sharp, crisp lines could be parallelled to all types of design influence of the time, with design titans like Ray and Charles Eames or Le Corbusier creating a certain delicate tension with similar hard edges and subtle curvature in furniture and architecture respectively. The Daytona was rightly an instant hit, kicking off a design trend that would last far beyond the car’s model cycle.

1970s – Peugeot 504 Coupe and Convertible (1970)

The brilliance of Pininfarina was its ability to employ delicate, finessed design to all cars, not just luxury or supercars. The Peugeot 504 Coupe and Convertible were two such designs, transforming a fairly mundane family saloon car into a beautiful, but crucially accessible models.

The 504’s delicate lines were wonderfully executed, and proved that Pininfarina’s almost perfect aesthetic sensibilities translated to all proportion sets and applications, all the while translating the important design cues and elements from Peugeot itself. The Peugeot 504 Coupe and Convertible were the sleek, sophisticated cars of the people.

1980s – Ferrari Testarossa (1984)

Think of 1980s excess and chances are the Ferrari Testarossa is one of the cars that you think of. By this time, the regional rivalry between Pininfarina, Bertone and Italdesign had brought us a myriad of distinctive designs, but it’s the Testarossa that is one of the most iconic.

Pininfarina had some help with the Testarossa, mind. The package from Ferrari was driven by the distinctive mid-mounted flat-twelve powerplant that required a massively wide engine bay. Rather than try hide its width, Pininfarina instead accentuated it with flat horizontal lines and hidden detailing such as the rear lights and a black lower body section, shallowing the mass even more to create the iconic design. Outrageous.

1990s – Honda Beat (1991)

The Honda Beat was Pininfarina’s first Japanese production car commission, and not only created a new set of challenges in its Japanese heritage, but also of needing to meet Japan’s strict Kei car regulations, which essentially revolved around creating a tiny footprint. When finally it was revealed, somehow the Honda Beat was able to transcend its diminutive dimensions, and became a design icon in it’s own Japanese home market.

The Zebra-print seats probably helped, but the Beat was an example of the skill and deftness that Pininfarina could wield, even on a very specialized project that would never reach a global market.

2000s – Maserati Quattroporte (2003)

Purity and subtlety – two design elements that Pininfarina has always maintained as central to its whole philosophy. It’s these two elements, in a luxury saloon marketplace that was still reeling from the nuclear explosion that was Chris Bangle’s very first BMW 7-series, that were the reason this fifth generation Quattroporte sold two thirds of the total build run in the second half of the build cycle.

This is because the fifth generation Quattroporte, more than any other post 20th century Pininfarina design, seems to inhabit the very essence of brand, with a subtlety and sophistication to the overall design that is still unchallenged in Maserati’s contemporary line up. It aged beautifully, and relies not on trend or fashion, but proportion and sophistication. Some say the headlights are too small, that it looks bland or slab-sided, but the MK5 Quattroporte is an exquisite design with pitch perfect detailing. Sublime.

2010s – BMW Gran Lusso Concept (2011)

You might have seen the latest BMW 7-series. It’s almost as if the wonderfully sleek E38 7-series never existed. Subtlety it seems has now totally given way to shock factor and pandering to the will of the marketing departments. Pininfarina proved there is another way, designing the BMW Gran Lusso concept, a beautifully proportioned and detailed coupe based on the previous generation 7-series back in 2011.

What could have – and should have – been the new 8-series, the Gran Lusso’s expansive glasshouse, thin lights and taught surfacing makes a contemporary 8-series coupe look like a monkfish in comparison. Proof that an outside opinion when it comes to design is still a crucial element of contemporary car design.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/pininfarinas-greatest-cars-a-history-in-eight-iconic-designs/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2019/02/Pininfarina’s-greatest-cars-1-featured.jpgimage/jpegHennessey-tuned 1000bhp+ McLaren 600LT announcedhttps://www.crankandpiston.com/hennessey-tuned-1000bhp-mclaren-600lt-announced/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/hennessey-tuned-1000bhp-mclaren-600lt-announced/#respondThu, 07 Feb 2019 07:31:25 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=131810US-based tuner Hennessey Performance has turned its attention to the McLaren 600LT, extracting more than 1000bhp from its turbocharged V8 We don’t feel the 592bhp 600LT needs much more power. However, Hennessey Performance thinks otherwise, as it has announced 700bhp, 800bhp and 1000bhp tuning packages for the already blisteringly fast McLaren 600LT, the most powerful of which it claims […]

]]>US-based tuner Hennessey Performance has turned its attention to the McLaren 600LT, extracting more than 1000bhp from its turbocharged V8
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We don’t feel the 592bhp 600LT needs much more power. However, Hennessey Performance thinks otherwise, as it has announced 700bhp, 800bhp and 1000bhp tuning packages for the already blisteringly fast McLaren 600LT, the most powerful of which it claims results in a 0-100kph time of just 2.1secs.

Entry point to the tuned 600LT experience is the 700bhp ‘HPE700’ package, which the tuner says delivers 708bhp and 635lb ft of torque, thanks to high-flow air filters, re-calibration of the factory Engine Control Unit and a custom Hennessey stainless steel exhaust system. According to Hennessey the car can accelerate from 0-100kph in just 2.6secs and can cover the quarter mile in 10.5secs at 224kph.

Next up is the 805bhp, 722lb ft ‘HPE800’ package, which helps the 600LT eclipse the power output of the $970,000+ Senna. Similar modifications to the HPE700 package can be found under the engine cover, but with the factory turbo and intercooler systems require ‘modification’ to bring it to the 800bhp mark. 0-100kph is cracked in a quoted 2.4secs, while the quarter mile is completed in 10.1secs at 232kph.

The most powerful package, the 1001bhp, 865lb ft ‘HPE1000’ upgrade, takes the 600LT from 0-100kph in a staggering 2.1secs and allows it to cover the quarter mile in just 9.6secs at 251kph. As you might imagine, quite significant modification is required to get the car to this level. There’s an aftermarket ECU from Motec, Hennessey turbo headers, upgraded turbos, a high-flow wastegate system, reinforced gearbox, Hennessey stainless steel exhaust, a new intercooler system and, of course, the crucial HPE1000 badges. Unlike the other two packages, Hennessey doesn’t provide a warranty with the HPE1000 upgrade. Hmmm.

Whether or not such power is necessary in the McLaren 600LT, we’re not sure, but if you have one sitting in your garage and your goal is to cover the quarter mile in less time than a Bugatti Veyron, you now know where to go.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/hennessey-tuned-1000bhp-mclaren-600lt-announced/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2019/02/Hennessey-tuned-1000bhp-1-featured.jpgimage/jpegBespoke Porsche Carrera GT recommissioned by Porsche factoryhttps://www.crankandpiston.com/bespoke-porsche-carrera-gt-recommissioned-by-porsche-factory/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/bespoke-porsche-carrera-gt-recommissioned-by-porsche-factory/#respondTue, 05 Feb 2019 07:42:03 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=131682This Carrera GT has undergone a full nuts and bolts restoration – but with a few key changes to its final colour and spec Its unusual for a car that is barely 15 years old to undergo a full restoration, but that’s exactly what the owner of this Porsche Carrera GT decided to do with his, sending this […]

]]>This Carrera GT has undergone a full nuts and bolts restoration – but with a few key changes to its final colour and spec
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Its unusual for a car that is barely 15 years old to undergo a full restoration, but that’s exactly what the owner of this Porsche Carrera GT decided to do with his, sending this specific example back to the factory to not only give it a thorough refresh, but also apply some distinguished specification changes.

The factory started by painting the exterior a shade of dark green called Oak Green Metallic, a colour that first appeared on Porsche’s palette in the 1970s. In order to recreate this shade, Porsche Classic had to get involved, as this shade has not been in use in recent times, let alone available on the standard Carrera GT.

The wheels also received a bespoke finish, partly painted in a contrasting shade of gold, with a separate polished rim. This wasn’t a simple process though, being a single-piece magnesium wheel. Porsche material engineers worried that a polishing process might compromise the structural integrity of the wheel itself, leading them to come up with a different method to create the polished effect. To do this, Porsche coated the rim of the wheel in silver, which was polished and then coated with a clear laquer to avoid oxidation. We’d suggest avoiding kerbs.

The owner also applied his creativity inside, partly upholstering the carbonfibre buckets in Porsche’s classic houndstooth fabric, offset with a spectacular shade of mulberry leather. The steering wheel, air vents and interior carbon parts also received attention, a highlight being the corresponding green and gold centrepoint stitched into the steering wheel.

All the exterior carbon components were also refinished, with over 350 man-hours spent sanding and re-lacquering in order to remove the milky finish that so often affects early carbon components that have discoloured due to UV exposure.

The result, one very special Carrera GT, and an example that is distinctive among the relatively limited pallet of classic Porsche colours usually seen on the model.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/bespoke-porsche-carrera-gt-recommissioned-by-porsche-factory/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2019/02/Bespoke-Porsche-Carrera-GT-2-FEATURED.jpgimage/jpeg1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake sells for record-breaking $2.2millionhttps://www.crankandpiston.com/1967-shelby-gt500-super-snake-sells-for-record-breaking-2-2million/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/1967-shelby-gt500-super-snake-sells-for-record-breaking-2-2million/#respondMon, 21 Jan 2019 08:51:23 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=131327The world’s most expensive Mustang finds a new owner at the Mecum auction in Florida The world’s only 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake found a new home last week, after selling for $2.2m at the Mecum auction in Kissimmee, Florida. Aside from being unique, the car has a number of impressive accolades to its name. The mad […]

]]>The world’s most expensive Mustang finds a new owner at the Mecum auction in Florida
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The world’s only 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake found a new home last week, after selling for $2.2m at the Mecum auction in Kissimmee, Florida. Aside from being unique, the car has a number of impressive accolades to its name.

The mad creation came to fruition when Carol Shelby was asked to participate in a promotional event for Goodyear tyres. It was decided that a supercar that would ‘outperform anything else in the world’ would be used for the job. Shelby took an existing GT500 and dropped a Ford GT engine into its engine bay, essentially the same powerplant used in the GT40 MkII that had won at Le Mans the year before. It was said that the engine was ‘the mother of all 427s at that time… aluminium heads, aluminium water pump, forged crank, Le Mans rods, just basically everything inside the engine was built to run sustained 6000rpm – to race at Le Mans’. The final result was a 520bhp GT500.

Various modifications were also made to allow the car to run reliably during the 800-kilometres tyre test, including an external oil cooler, braided lines and a remote oil filter. To cope with the high-speed cornering forces it would encounter on the oval track, stiffer springs and shocks were also mounted on the passenger side of the car. Aesthetic design touches to distinguish the car from a standard GT500 include one-off chrome inboard headlight surrounds and unique Le Mans striping with two narrow blue stripes flanking a wide blue center stripe. The car performed flawlessly during the test, running at an average of 228kph and topping out at 273kph.

Despite original plans to produce a further 50 examples of the car for the public after the test, the 427-powered GT500 proved too expensive to put into production, with its predicted retail price well beyond its competition and twice the price of a base GT500. The car was sold after the test in 1967 for just $5000 and has covered only 42,000 kilometres since.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/1967-shelby-gt500-super-snake-sells-for-record-breaking-2-2million/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2019/01/1967-Shelby-GT500-Super-Snake-1-FEATURED.jpgimage/jpegFerrari ‘Breadvan’ returns – Niels van Roij reveals 550-based homagehttps://www.crankandpiston.com/ferrari-breadvan-returns-niels-van-roij-reveals-550-based-homage/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/ferrari-breadvan-returns-niels-van-roij-reveals-550-based-homage/#respondMon, 07 Jan 2019 12:07:02 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=130647Iconic race car recreated on a more modern platform Everyone is jumping on the shooting brake bandwagon these days but few have attempted to revive the more unusual ‘breadvan’ style made famous by the Ferrari 250 GT SWB racers of the early 1960s. Until now, that is, as London-based design house Niels van Roij design […]

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Everyone is jumping on the shooting brake bandwagon these days but few have attempted to revive the more unusual ‘breadvan’ style made famous by the Ferrari 250 GT SWB racers of the early 1960s.

Until now, that is, as London-based design house Niels van Roij design has released preliminary sketches of what it’s calling the Breadvan Hommage, based on the sharply-styled 1990s Ferrari 550 Maranello.

The sketches show a convincing recreation of the original 250 Breadvan’s styling, with a straight shot of bodywork from the original 550 roofline to a sharply cut-off ‘kamm’ tail – an effective aerodynamic technique that helped separate air flowing off the roof without creating turbulence and drag.

Several other elements of the Breadvan Hommage echo those of the original, notably in the way the rear element tapers towards the back of the car, leaving the car’s haunches largely untouched by the conversion, as well as large vents just aft of the cabin, and stacked, circular tail lights on the flat rear end.

Some aspects of the design are still clearly being finalised, as the sketches show several variations, including different bonnet designs, the possibility of a full glass tailgate, and a couple of different side vent options. And while the bulk of the car still keeps the appearance of the donor car, Van Roij notes that only the windscreen will be identical to that of the 550 – even the car’s headlights will be different.

Van Roij calls the 550 a logical starting point for the project, given its conceptual similarities to the 250. ‘The 550 is the first Ferrari in 24 years [since the Daytona] which was built in the same way as the 250 GT at the time; a large V12 in front with a manual gearbox,’ he explains. ‘It gives us a unique opportunity to base our interpretation of the legendary Breadvan on a car with a corresponding DNA.’

Of course, the 550 itself has its own successful race history, most prominently with Prodrive whose 2001 550 GTS would take victories in its first season, as well as a class win at the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours. The year after it took third in class at the same event, with Darren Turner and Rickard Rydell joined by Colin McRae.

Van Roij’s project will be formed from aluminium and work has already begun to separate the 550’s rear end from its chassis. The team will continue to release updates throughout the early part of the year – and we should see the end result in the summer.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/ferrari-breadvan-returns-niels-van-roij-reveals-550-based-homage/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2019/01/Ferrari-‘Breadvan’-returns-1-FEATURED.jpgimage/jpegMercedes-Benz tuner Brabus unveils 267bhp 2019 A-classhttps://www.crankandpiston.com/mercedes-benz-tuner-brabus-unveils-267bhp-2019-a-class/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/mercedes-benz-tuner-brabus-unveils-267bhp-2019-a-class/#respondThu, 06 Dec 2018 09:12:38 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=130059Ahead of the reveal of the new Mercedes-AMG A45, the Bottrop-based tuner has shown what it can do with the new A-class With aerodynamic additions, new wheels, suspension tweaks and an engine tune, Brabus has thrown everything it’s got at the 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-class. Available on the range-topping A250 model (both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive) the tuner […]

Ahead of the reveal of the new Mercedes-AMG A45, the Bottrop-based tuner has shown what it can do with the new A-class

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With aerodynamic additions, new wheels, suspension tweaks and an engine tune, Brabus has thrown everything it’s got at the 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-class.

Available on the range-topping A250 model (both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive) the tuner has extracted an extra 46bhp and 59lb ft of torque from the 2-litre turbocharged four-pot, bringing total output to 267bhp and 317lb ft. This is thanks to reprogramming the ECU, changing injection and ignition timing as well as boost pressure control – a larger intake is also included to help the engine breathe. Brabus will also offer tuning options for diesel models of the A-class which are currently in development. The model’s new-found power pushes the A-class from 0-100kph in 5.9sec. Not exactly blistering, but it’s an improvement over the 6.2sec figure from factory.

Available on all A-class models in AMG Line specification, Brabus also offers a variety of body modifications to go with the engine tune. These includes a two-piece front splitter and a more aggressive diffuser to house the new, stainless steel and carbonfibre Brabus exhaust tips. Of course, a Brabus-fettled car is not complete without a rear wing – the company claims that it gives the A-class better aerodynamic balance.

The Brabus exhaust system allows the four-pot to let loose, with flaps that allow you to choose when you’d like to make a racket. Due to the way it’s designed, the exhaust can also be installed to look as discreet as from factory without the aggressive diffuser.

The tuner says its suspension engineers and test drivers have developed tailor-made wheel and tyre combinations, for wheels sizes of between 17- and 20-inches. There are three wheel designs available, all of which are a monoblock construction, the largest coming with 235/30 R 20 tyres on all four corners.

If you know Brabus at all, you’ll know it does interior customisation rather well. For the A-class, stainless-steel scuff plates with a backlit Brabus logos, aluminium pedals and, of course, a newly upholstered interior can be had. Brabus allows the customer to choose exactly what they’d like for the upholstery with all work done in fine, soft ‘Mastik’ leather and Alcantara.

Should you be wary of tuning your car for fear of reduced engine reliability, the tuner provides you with a three-year or 100,000-kilometre Brabus tuning warranty.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/mercedes-benz-tuner-brabus-unveils-267bhp-2019-a-class/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2018/12/Mercedes-Benz-tuner-Brabus-1-FEATURED.jpgimage/jpegFord Mustang Boss 429 restomod brought to SEMAhttps://www.crankandpiston.com/ford-mustang-boss-429-restomod-brought-to-sema/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/ford-mustang-boss-429-restomod-brought-to-sema/#respondMon, 05 Nov 2018 08:48:12 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=129064Classic Restorations has brought its ultimate Mustang Boss 429 to SEMA If you want the ultimate restomod Porsche, you would generally turn to Singer, but when you want a reproduction of one of Ford’s most iconic models, you turn to Classic Recreations. The American company’s latest work was recently shown at this year’s SEMA show, and […]

If you want the ultimate restomod Porsche, you would generally turn to Singer, but when you want a reproduction of one of Ford’s most iconic models, you turn to Classic Recreations.

The American company’s latest work was recently shown at this year’s SEMA show, and it’s based on Ford’s Mustang Boss 429, classically Ford’s biggest, baddest model of that generation. Like Singer, Classic Restorations doesn’t start from scratch, with this model being restored back to original before its standard 427 cubic inch V8, that’s 7-litres to you and I, was replaced for an upgraded 9-litre unit with a staggering 803bhp, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

The bodywork has remained mostly unmodified, save for some sleeker detailing and modern lighting, but in typical restomod style, the wheels are now much bigger 18-inch units, sitting over the top of upgraded Wilwood brakes and uprated suspension.

The interior has also been upgraded with a modern stereo and custom centre console, but still has a distinct retro theme to it.

Like Singer, Classic Restorations builds its cars to the buyer’s specification, but isn’t quite so limited to a specific end product, making each of its models more distinct from one another. With a usual cost of around $150-200k for most examples, the 429 Boss will likely sit a fair amount higher, as values already hover at around that amount for unmodified versions.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/ford-mustang-boss-429-restomod-brought-to-sema/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2018/11/mustang-boss-FEATURED.jpgimage/jpegOur picks from the RM Sotheby’s Porsche 70th Anniversary auctionhttps://www.crankandpiston.com/our-picks-from-the-rm-sothebys-porsche-70th-anniversary-auction/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/our-picks-from-the-rm-sothebys-porsche-70th-anniversary-auction/#respondTue, 09 Oct 2018 06:30:32 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=127258956, Dakar 959 and Kremer 935 star at a special Porsche-themed sale in Atlanta From one-off Porsche 993 Turbos to record-setting lap times in the Porsche 919 Evo, you won’t have failed to notice that Porsche is 70 this year. In addition to Porsche’s own celebrations, the anniversary is being celebrated by RM Sotheby’s with a special auction […]

]]>956, Dakar 959 and Kremer 935 star at a special Porsche-themed sale in Atlanta

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From one-off Porsche 993 Turbos to record-setting lap times in the Porsche 919 Evo, you won’t have failed to notice that Porsche is 70 this year.

In addition to Porsche’s own celebrations, the anniversary is being celebrated by RM Sotheby’s with a special auction at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta, Georgia on October 27 2018. The Porsche 70th Anniversary Auction is entirely dedicated to the sports car firm, from pristine examples of the company’s road and race cars to associated memorabilia.

It’s clear RM Sotheby’s is expecting some big numbers on the day, with some huge estimates on some of the cars. Some of those numbers are unavoidable in our own selection, but below you’ll find our pick of the more interesting cars crossing the block later this month.

1983 Porsche 956 Group C

It’s no surprise to find a 956 commanding the highest estimate in Atlanta, at $5.25m-$6.75m. Winner of the 1983 Brands Hatch 1000km and 1983 Can-Am at Road America – and with entries at Le Mans in ’83 and ’84 – it’s being billed as the most original of the nine surviving WEC privateer 956s.

The 956 is among Porsche’s most famous racers, drawing its performance from a 2.65-litre turbocharged flat-six making more than 630bhp. This car’s two big wins are testament to the car’s status, but other statistics include a top speed of up to 362kph on the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans, and until the Porsche 919 Evo reset Porsche’s own record, the fastest ever lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a 6:11.13.

1985 Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar

Another iconic Porsche racer, this Paris-Dakar 959 is as interesting for its recent history as it is for its purpose in period. One of three campaigned in the 1985 event, all failed to finish, with this car suffering an oil-line failure. It’s one of seven development cars – five of which are owned by Porsche – and the only complete, running car in private hands.

It’s also fitted with the correct naturally aspirated 3.2-litre Carrera engine, as unlike the road cars, the Dakar versions were not turbocharged. It retains the correct Rothmans livery, too, and has previously been on display at the Royal Automobile Club in London and has run up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the hands of Jacky Ickx. Given its provenance, the $3m-$3.4m estimate is unsurprising.

1985 Porsche 959 Prototype

Another 1985 959, this time one of 12 prototypes, of which only three or four are believed to survive. This car was number seven, primarily built for electrical system and hot-weather testing during the 959’s development.

It’s spent most of its life as a display car, as a result of its prototype status and a requirement by Porsche of the first owner that it would not be returned to the road unless it had been refurbished by the factory. It was returned to running condition in 2002 and earlier in 2018 had a comprehensive service at Porsche Centre Reading with a $32k bill. It’s offered for sale with a $1.3m-$1.6m estimate.

1980 Porsche 935 K4

It takes a lot for a car to look more dramatic than a Porsche 956 or Dakar 959, but this 750bhp Kremer 935 manages it. The second of two 935 K4s built by Kremer, RM Sotheby’s describes it as having ‘tremendous vintage racing potential’ and it’d certainly be a shame if the car never saw circuit use.

Not least as it’s also described as being as fast as a later 956 or 962, though it does require a ‘mechanical re-commissioning’ before it’s race-ready again. The car has an IMSA history, achieving a highest-place finish of 3rd in the 1982 season. It’s expected to achieve $850k-$1.1m in Atlanta.

1994 Porsche 911 (964) Speedster

Back to the road cars now, though how far you’d be prepared to take this 19,000-kilometres 911 Speedster with its $200k-$250k estimate is another matter. It’d certainly get noticed should the owner choose to enjoy it on the road, with a distinctive Guards Red-over-red colour scheme and red accents inside.

The car was bought in New York in 1993 and is well-specified, including climate control, cruise control and a limited-slip differential. It remained with the original owner for more than two decades, and its most recent service took place in December 2017. Not the most exotic car at the sale, but distinctive and doubtless interesting to drive.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Lightweight

The archetypal classic 911, and with an $875k-$1.1m estimate, a perfect representation of the incredible rise in value of classic Porsches. It’s being described as ‘possibly the finest restored example in the US’ and there’s certainly no arguing for the specification – the green and white paintwork, lightweight Sport specification and comprehensive history all make it deeply desirable.

Like many 2.7 RS 911s, it also has a racing history, despite now being presented in road-going trim. Campaigned by racer Eugen Strähl, it competed at ten events in 1974, three of which were at Hockenheim. Since then it’s changed hands a few times, with the most recent owner having it restored. The engine is matching-numbers, but the original gearbox succumbed to its period racing exploits so was replaced early on, and has since also been rebuilt.

1980 Porsche 924

To the other end of the Porsche scale now, though with an estimate of a remarkable $30k-$40k, this Porsche 924 is certainly at the upper end of non-Carrera RS versions of the nameplate. There’s no doubting the condition or originality, though, and with 17,000 kilometres from new this 924 has lived a life more like that of some of the rarer 911s on sale in Atlanta.

With a rear reflector panel between the tail lights, leather trim, early two-spoke steering wheel and a series of dealer options it’s gloriously retro, and its history is impeccable. It was meticulously looked after by its first owner and kept pristine by the second, who bought it in 2014.

1971 Porsche 914/6

Precursor to the 924, the 914 was Porsche’s previous affordable model, though the six-cylinder 914/6 was perhaps less attainable than the modestly-powered standard models. In this colour – Willow Green – it’s also very rare, believed to be only one of two ordered in this shade in the US.

Unlike many at the auction it’s been driven and enjoyed over the years, with over 191k kilometres on the clock. At around 117k – admittedly 25 years ago now – the engine was rebuilt and upgraded, expanded to 2.2-litres, fitted with Mahle pistons and rebuilt Weber carbs, with the underpinnings also improved. Since 2009 it’s also had a cosmetic restoration. The estimate of $100k-$125k is steep for a 914, but perhaps not surprising given both Porsche’s place in the market and the quality of this particular car.

2018 Porsche 911 Turbo Project Gold

If you’re looking at this car wondering why it’s listed as a 2018, you must have missed the news about Porsche building a new 993 Turbo from scratch under its Classic Series banner. Project Gold is the result, built 20 years after the original car went off sale, and aside from the level of preparation and modern techniques used in its construction and painting, it’s essentially a perfect 1998 Porsche 993 Turbo.

The let-down is that the car is not road legal as it has not been homologated for road use, and the buyer will have a fair distance to travel from the auction in Atlanta, too, as it will need to be collected from Stuttgart. On the plus side, proceeds from the auction will go towards the Ferry Porsche Foundation, dedicated to education, social issues and youth development.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/our-picks-from-the-rm-sothebys-porsche-70th-anniversary-auction/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2018/10/1983-porsche-956-group-c_4-FEATURED.jpgimage/jpegFull-scale and completely functioning Bugatti Chiron built from Lego Technichttps://www.crankandpiston.com/full-scale-and-completely-functioning-bugatti-chiron-built-from-lego-technic/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/full-scale-and-completely-functioning-bugatti-chiron-built-from-lego-technic/#respondWed, 05 Sep 2018 05:30:32 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=125642If your 3699-piece scale model was not tricky enough to complete, what about a full-sized version? Not content with taking up multiple weekends of its young and young-at-heart fans, Lego has outdone its own record-breaking scale model Bugatti Chiron set with an actual life-size version, and its fully functional, too. Well not quite fully functional, as the […]

]]>If your 3699-piece scale model was not tricky enough to complete, what about a full-sized version?

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Not content with taking up multiple weekends of its young and young-at-heart fans, Lego has outdone its own record-breaking scale model Bugatti Chiron set with an actual life-size version, and its fully functional, too.

Well not quite fully functional, as the Lego model’s 19kph top speed is a little down on the production car’s 420kph, but it’s still mightily impressive considering it uses few bespoke parts and no adhesives or glue to keep it all in one piece. That towering top speed was tested at Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien testing facility with legendary racing and test driver Andy Wallace at the wheel.

And it’s not just the body that’s constructed out of Lego, as it’s also powered by Lego, using 2304 Lego Power Function motors, 4032 Lego Technic gear wheels and 2016 Lego Technic cross axles. All together, these motors produce a theoretical 5.3hp and 67lb ft of torque, which is actually the same torque figure produced by an entry-level Volkswagen Polo, making this model either a really impressive technical exercise, or the Polo woefully underpowered (we’re thinking it’ll be the latter).

The model is constructed with over one million individual pieces, and it is the first time that Lego Technic has built a large-scale moving model using only Lego bricks and other Technic components. It’s also the largest model made without the help of any adhesives or glue. Taking a total of 13,438 man hours to complete, the build took nearly 27 times longer than it takes to build an actual Chiron.

Of course, if you’re going to go to the effort of building a model this elaborate, you may as well make it light up, so Lego had to develop a new type of translucent brick to use in the lighting elements at the front and rear.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/full-scale-and-completely-functioning-bugatti-chiron-built-from-lego-technic/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2018/09/buildforreal_7-FEATURED.jpgimage/jpegLewis Hamilton’s 2017 F1 car joins Gran Turismo Sporthttps://www.crankandpiston.com/lewis-hamiltons-2017-f1-car-joins-gran-turismo-sport/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/lewis-hamiltons-2017-f1-car-joins-gran-turismo-sport/#respondTue, 31 Jul 2018 06:05:11 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=125182There’s no shortage of games that let you drive Formula 1 cars these days, not least the official F1 2017 title (and F1 2018 is just around the corner). But fewer of those let you drive such a diverse range of other cars around the same circuits, and the latest 1.23 update to Gran Turismo Sport exemplifies […]

]]>There’s no shortage of games that let you drive Formula 1 cars these days, not least the official F1 2017 title (and F1 2018 is just around the corner).

But fewer of those let you drive such a diverse range of other cars around the same circuits, and the latest 1.23 update to Gran Turismo Sport exemplifies this variety, not only adding the 2017 Mercedes-AMG W08 EQ Power+ Grand Prix car, but also a classic Ferrari and a trio of Japan’s tiny kei sports cars.

The arrival of Lewis Hamilton’s 2017 wheels is the biggest news, marking the first official F1 entry in the Gran Turismo franchise since the Ferrari F2007 and F10 available in Gran Turismo 5.

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It should be comfortably one of the quickest cars in the game, and with a selection of Grand Prix tracks also available in-game – including Interlagos, the Nurburgring GP layout and Suzuka – there are some appropriate locations in which to test it.

Also new to GT Sport is the 1991 Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B. This car has made it into previous GT titles, but as the images show, this is about the highest detail we’ve set seen short of witnessing the real car itself at events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It’s joined in the high-performance stakes by another previous GT choice, a Ford GT LM Spec II test car.

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Going straight in as one of the most beautiful cars to have featured in the franchise, you can now drive a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO in GT Sport – specifically, serial number 3729, a right-hand drive car driven by the likes of Roy Salvadori, Graham Hill, Jack Sears and Richie Ginther.

Finally, there’s a trio of kei-class sports cars from Japan: the front-wheel drive 2002 Daihatsu Copen, the 1991 Honda Beat and the Beat’s modern successor, a 2015 Honda S660.

You’ll be able to drive all three in another new addition to the game (and another returning feature from previous GT titles), the Lightweight K Cup. There’s also a new Nostalgic Car Festival event for pre-1979 cars and a single-vehicle series for the W08, while GT Sports “Scapes” photography section has some new locations.

And on the subject of locations, there’s an all-new track, the fictitious Circuit de Sainte-Croix located near Provence, which includes six layouts for various different races.

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Finally, GT Sport has bowed to the market for micro-transactions, and players will now be able to spend real-world money on in-game vehicles (of under 2 million credits) through the PlayStation Store. Hopefully the GT series doesn’t go too far down this road, but all GT Sport’s cars are still available by more traditional means.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/lewis-hamiltons-2017-f1-car-joins-gran-turismo-sport/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2018/07/004-gt-sport-amg-w08-featured.jpgimage/jpegLexus LFA art car revealed, debuts at 24 Hours of Spahttps://www.crankandpiston.com/lexus-lfa-art-car-revealed-debuts-at-24-hours-of-spa/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/lexus-lfa-art-car-revealed-debuts-at-24-hours-of-spa/#respondSat, 28 Jul 2018 11:00:52 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=125109Portuguese artist paints sharp supercar with not-so-sharp graphics The LFA was something of a bolt from the blue from Lexus, a company predominantly known until then for luxurious and long-lasting, but rarely exciting, saloons. It’s little surprise then that Lexus still references the LFA so many years after its launch, with its latest outing in art car form […]

The LFA was something of a bolt from the blue from Lexus, a company predominantly known until then for luxurious and long-lasting, but rarely exciting, saloons.

It’s little surprise then that Lexus still references the LFA so many years after its launch, with its latest outing in art car form celebrating ten years of the “F” brand, which actually kicked off with the IS-F sports saloon in 2008.

The LFA is more celebrated though, as much for its rarity – only 500 cars were ever made – as for its remarkable high-revving 4.8-litre V10 powerplant, co-developed with Yamaha and never again used in any other Lexus, and this recognition makes it the ideal choice for an art car.

The work itself is by Portuguese artist Pedro Henriques, who describes the curved, organic patterns on the otherwise origami-sharp LFA as being influenced by ‘the idea of fluidity that’s present in contemporary life, where things are in constant movement and it is hard to freeze anything.’

It’s perhaps not the most dramatic art car we’ve seen, lacking the impact of Calder or Warhol’s BMWs, Tobias Rehberger’s trippy Aston Martin Vantage race car or the distinctive Paul Smith 911 seen recently at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but then the LFA itself gives the eyes plenty to take in, so perhaps the subtle approach is best.

Henriques says his work has the effect of giving the LFA the look of constant mutation and a less defined shape, and lines that never stop. You’ll be able to see for yourself whether that’s the case when the car makes its debut at the 24 Hours of Spa this weekend, where Lexus’ own RC F GT3 will be making its debut as part of the Blancpain series.

Alternatively if you find yourself around Lisbon (there are some great roads in the vicinity), Lexus has opened a pop-up UX art space, with some of Henriques’ other works among the exhibits. We’d be happy just with the LFA…

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/lexus-lfa-art-car-revealed-debuts-at-24-hours-of-spa/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2018/07/lfa-019-ext-2011-gms-01-FEATURED.jpgimage/jpegBose Personal. The car headrest speaker is finally here!https://www.crankandpiston.com/bose-personal-the-car-headrest-speaker-is-finally-here/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/bose-personal-the-car-headrest-speaker-is-finally-here/#respondThu, 26 Jul 2018 10:19:23 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=125125Just so you don’t feel left out of having a premium audio system in your car, Bose has the solution for you! When we go out and drive high end fully-spec’d media cars, they usually come with the top of the line audio system, and life suddenly becomes better once the beat drops. If I […]

]]>Just so you don’t feel left out of having a premium audio system in your car, Bose has the solution for you!

When we go out and drive high end fully-spec’d media cars, they usually come with the top of the line audio system, and life suddenly becomes better once the beat drops. If I was to install something similar in my average car, it will cost me a lot, and I mean A LOT. Using earphones or a nice headset also wouldn’t do the job because that’d be dumb and even unsafe on the road as it isolates you from everything happening outside the vehicle.

What Bose is introducing is called the Bose Personal speakers system, where they have implemented “natural” sounding speakers in the headrest, which will give you the complete surround feel when playing music. This way, you’ll be happy with a humble and subtle audio system, without the need to going big and ripping off your door panels to installing an aftermarket system.

In the video, Bose installed this system on the new Nissan Micra, but we’re yet to experience this system in person to have a better idea on how it works and how it sounds.

The “Kiki challenge” is a social media challenge, where people step out of a moving car at rolling speed and dancing to Drake’s new song “In My Feelings”, which the driver (And sometimes passenger) grabs a video of them doing that. Yes, a moving car.

Anyways, thank god for quick actions by the government to put a stop to this trend by arresting and fining whoever gets caught doing that, both in real life or even when posting on social media, as this supports the reckless act and encourages others to imitate and do it. While this challenge came out in the US by social media comedian Shiggy, it did travel all around the world, making Drake’s song hit #1 in music billboards all over the world.

The tweet above was published by AD government, but all other emirates in the UAE are aware of the trend and are acting aggressively against it. Lt Col Saeed Obaid Bin Eran, Director of Traffic and Patrols Department at Umm Al Quwain Police, said that carrying out the dance can lead to a Dh2,000 fine, 23 black points and the vehicle impounded for 60 days.

While Col Saeed Bin Aran, head of traffic and patrols at Um Al Quwain police, warned motorists against driving their vehicles in a “Kiki” manner that can endanger their lives and the lives of others.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/impound-23-points-and-2000-dhs-fine-if-caught-doing-the-kiki-challenge/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2018/07/kiki-featured.jpgimage/jpegChannel your inner James Bond with Lego’s Goldfinger DB5https://www.crankandpiston.com/channel-your-inner-james-bond-with-legos-goldfinger-db5/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/channel-your-inner-james-bond-with-legos-goldfinger-db5/#respondThu, 19 Jul 2018 06:20:27 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=1246111290-piece Aston Martin recreates film’s iconic car Lego has uncovered an Aston Martin DB5 based on the car driven by James Bond in Goldfinger. Available from 18 July the model, which costs $172.00, features the weapons arsenal and gadgets fitted to the car in the film. Measuring 10cm high, 34cm long and 12cm wide, the model is […]

Lego has uncovered an Aston Martin DB5 based on the car driven by James Bond in Goldfinger. Available from 18 July the model, which costs $172.00, features the weapons arsenal and gadgets fitted to the car in the film.

Measuring 10cm high, 34cm long and 12cm wide, the model is a 1:8 scale of the real car and made up of 1290 pieces. The complexity of the build process has seen Lego brand the kit 16-plus.

To ensure authenticity, the car receives the same Q treatment as the iconic car that starred in the film back in 1964. To that end, there’s the radar tracker and deployable machine guns to locate and neutralise villains, while the bullet-proof screen on the rear deck, revolving number plates and wheel-mounted tyre scythes are there to fend them off.

Along with the radar tracker, the interior is kitted-out with the hidden telephone and all-important (operational) ejector seat. Just like the movie car, the model is finished in silver birch and rides on wire wheels.

Lift the front-hinged bonnet and the DB5 reveals a Lego recreation of the 4-litre straight-six engine, which produced 282bhp in 1964; enough to send the Bond car from 0 to 100kph in around eight seconds and on to a 228kph top speed.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/channel-your-inner-james-bond-with-legos-goldfinger-db5/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2018/07/legor-creator-expert-james-bondtm-aston-martin-db5-2-FEATURED.jpgimage/jpegOnly 8 days left for the 2018 Goodwood festival of speedhttps://www.crankandpiston.com/only-8-days-left-for-the-2018-goodwood-festival-of-speed/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/only-8-days-left-for-the-2018-goodwood-festival-of-speed/#respondWed, 04 Jul 2018 07:56:42 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=123877Everything you need to know about the 2018 FoS There’s one month to go until the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which is being held on 12-15 July. Coined the world’s largest automotive garden party, the event celebrates cars and bikes in all their diverse forms, and this year Porsche – which is celebrating its 70th birthday […]

There’s one month to go until the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which is being held on 12-15 July. Coined the world’s largest automotive garden party, the event celebrates cars and bikes in all their diverse forms, and this year Porsche – which is celebrating its 70th birthday – has been named as the marque sponsor.

Over 600 cars and bikes, old and new, will descend on the Goodwood estate in Sussex, where manufacturers will be out in force, displaying their latest creations to the public in towering temporary structures and on the tricky hill climb course.

Snaking up through the estate, it’s the hill climb route that attracts the most attention, with all manner of vehicles set to take to it over the long weekend. Our personal event highlight is the supercar paddock, which allows visitors to get up close to the latest gaggle of rarely spotted models. However, it’s not all about modern unobtainium: there will be something for everyone, with motorsport icons, performance road cars and quirky creations – from all eras – in attendance. There will also be plenty of other exhibits and performances to keep all the family entertained, a headline feature being an aerobatics routine from the Red Arrows.

Numerous exhibitions will pay tribute to Porsche’s extensive motorsport success, with cars from multiple disciplines – including WEC, Formula 1 and rallying – on display. A wide range of Porsche road cars, sure to include the likes of the 911 2.7 RS and various generations of 911 GT3, will also be displayed. Meanwhile on the hillclimb, spectators will be treated to an all-Porsche demonstration run to further celebrate the revered brand.

A slightly different agenda controls each day’s events. Thursday is the quietest day and provides the best opportunity to walk all the manufacturers’ stands and acquaint yourself with their models. On the Friday, the stopwatch comes out as hill climb entries take to the course for practice. Moving into the weekend, the Formula Drift and stunt displays will wow the large crowds, as cars continue to tackle the hill climb ahead of event’s final day. And it’s here, on the Sunday, that definitive times are laid down as the fastest competitors gun for the all-time record.

So popular is the Festival of Speed that ticket availability is limited on all days but the Thursday. Entry is cheapest on the first day, at $49 for an adult ticket, and prices rise for each successive day, reaching $91 for the Sunday. Concession tickets are available, as are hospitality packages.

What to see

Alpine

Last year the A110 made its dynamic debut, and its motorsport counterpart, the A110 GT4, will follow suit this year; the French sports car manufacturer created the racer for an amateur one-make series. Alpine will also display the A110 Legende, one of two new A110 variants set to succeed the Premiere Edition which is no longer on sale.

BMW

BMW’s festival presence will revolve around the new 8-series. The new Coupe and M8 GTE will take to the hill, while the Concept M8 Gran Coupe will demonstrate where the brand will take the 8-series model next. Honouring its return to Le Mans this year, the German marque will be sending the iconic 3.0 CSL, an M1 Procar and the V12 LMR up though the course, too.

Brabham

The Brabham BT62 will arrive at the Goodwood estate with a red and blue livery, aping the Brabham 1978 BT46B F1 car. Not only will the BT62 be on show in the supercar paddock, but it will take on the hill route, too, for its UK dynamic debut.

Ferrari

Both the Ferrari 812 Superfast and the 488 Pista will make their dynamic debuts on the hill, where spectators will see the Portofino and the GTC4 Lusso T in action. The latter pair will also be on display in the supercar paddock alongside three, privately-owned Ferrari XX models, including the FXX K Evo. Another La Ferrari-derived model, in the shape of the open-top Aperta, will complete Ferrari’s Goodwood showing.

Ford

To promote the new Mustang Bullitt, due on UK showroom floors in September, Ford will display it alongside the very car that featured in the famous film back in 1968, marking the star car’s debut on foreign soil.

Another space on Ford’s stand will be reserved for the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT – a tribute to American pilots who served in the RAF during World War Two. As for the hill climb, you can expect to see the Ford GT GTE and M-Sport Ford Fiesta World Rally Championship in action.

Honda

Honda’s history of striking stand designs will continue at this year’s festival, where the structure erected will imitate a racetrack grid. According to Honda it’s supposed to showcase the brand’s ‘rich racing pedigree’. To that end, the Honda-engined 2018 Torro Rosso F1 car will line up alongside the NSX GT3 and the BTCC Civics from the past two seasons. As for road-going metal you’ll find a Civic Type R and an NSX, as well.

McLaren

McLaren has announced its forthcoming 600LT will feature at the festival, and also revealed the roster of drivers who will be representing the marque over the course of the weekend: Emerson Fittipaldi, Stoffel Vandoorne and Lando Norris are just a few to mention.

Mercedes-Benz

New AMG models are the main attractions for Mercedes this year: the AMG GT 63 four-door will tackle the hill, while the AMG G63 will appear on UK shores for the first time. Elsewhere, Valtteri Bottas will take the W07 F1 car past the Flint Wall, with the AMG GT R set to follow, and back on Mercedes’ stand the Project One will take centre-stage.

Polestar

Polestar’s long-awaited hybrid sports car will take to the hill for its dynamic debut, albeit in camouflage-clad prototype guise. However, two Polestar 1s, in production specification, will be on display elsewhere in the grounds. Deliveries for the 592bhp coupe are due in the second quarter of 2019.

Roborace

For the first time the 1.86-kilometre course will be covered by an autonomous vehicle. Roborace’s 500bhp-plus, all-electric car is equipped with advanced autonomous technology and hints at a possible, unmanned future of motorsport.

Tesla

With production delays, quality issues and mounting orders, the Tesla Model 3’s birth has been nothing short of arduous. Despite this, over 500,000 have been ordered globally, while European sales are scheduled for 2019. To whet the EV appetite, Tesla will be showing the Model 3 at the festival, marking its European debut.

]]>https://www.crankandpiston.com/only-8-days-left-for-the-2018-goodwood-festival-of-speed/feed/0https://www.crankandpiston.com/media/2018/07/d116454043554d04b47acfd30f058c41-FEATURED.jpgimage/jpeg50 years of Hot Wheels – a history, the cars and the brandhttps://www.crankandpiston.com/50-years-of-hot-wheels-a-history-the-cars-and-the-brand/
https://www.crankandpiston.com/50-years-of-hot-wheels-a-history-the-cars-and-the-brand/#respondMon, 02 Jul 2018 13:05:18 +0000https://www.crankandpiston.com/?p=123828From the wacky to the wonderful, 50 years on Hot Wheels is still hot stuff Volkswagen, contrary to what you might have read elsewhere, is not the world’s biggest car maker. True, it may have produced 10.7million cars in 2017 – enough to put it ahead of Toyota and Renault-Nissan – but there’s one company, celebrating its 50th anniversary […]

]]>From the wacky to the wonderful, 50 years on Hot Wheels is still hot stuff

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Volkswagen, contrary to what you might have read elsewhere, is not the world’s biggest car maker. True, it may have produced 10.7million cars in 2017 – enough to put it ahead of Toyota and Renault-Nissan – but there’s one company, celebrating its 50th anniversary on 19 May, that can match that figure virtually every week.

I’ll not draw out the analogy too much longer as the images on this page will have given the game away somewhat, but just as Lego makes more rubber tyres than any other company on the planet, so Hot Wheels can stake a pretty good claim to being the world’s largest car maker.

Ahead of even Scalextric, Tamiya, or videogames such as Gran Turismo, the brand has served for many of us as the first step into that long journey to becoming a petrolhead. You might not remember your first Hot Wheels car (or perhaps your first Matchbox car; the British brand was bought by Hot Wheels owner Mattel in 1997), but from the moment you were old enough to grind them against the skirting board rather than attempting to swallow them, the little diecast models were acting as your first point of reference for automotive colour, style, brand and – on some level, at least – driving fun.

Hot Wheels was the brainchild of Mattel founder Elliot Handler, whose wife Ruth had, in 1959, created that other mid-century toy icon, Barbie. First mooted in 1966, the idea behind it was to create a new and exciting way for kids to experience ‘vehicle play’ and the thrill of the custom hot-rod culture that defined the American automotive landscape post-war. It was Handler who coined the name, too. Remarking on the design and the speed at which one of the prototypes rolled along the floor, he was said to have exclaimed: ‘Those are some hot wheels!’

This idea spawned the first line of 16 vehicles that debuted in 1968, known as the Original Sweet 16. Eleven of these were the work of Harry Bentley Bradley, an automotive designer who had worked with General Motors between 1962 and 1966 and penned several designs for Detroit-based customisers the Alexander Brothers.

His most famous design, the Dodge Deora forward-control pickup, would become one of the Original Sweet 16, but the very first car produced by Hot Wheels was the Custom Camaro. Based on the brand new 1967 Chevrolet Camaro – itself hot property at the time – it was joined by other contemporary pony cars such as the Mustang, Cougar, Barracuda and Firebird. Each featured a sparkling ‘Spectraflame’ paint scheme – a coloured lacquer over a zinc-plated casting – and other unique touches that echoed the era’s car culture, such as side-exit exhausts and staggered wheel set-ups.

An almost endless list of iconic designs quickly followed, from the Twin Mill – a dart-like hot-rod powered by a pair of 8.2-litre supercharged big-block Chevy V8s – to the Beach Bomb, a VW camper van equipped with a pair of surfboards. Today, rare early designs can command big money: a hot pink prototype version of the Beach Bomb was bought for $72,000 by its current owner, renowned Hot Wheels collector Bruce Pascal. It’s since been valued at up to $150,000, or around half the most ever paid at auction for a real split-window VW Type 2…

Over its first half century Hot Wheels has produced a diecast of pretty much every vehicle you can think of, and with a tradition of designing complete ground-up custom models, a good few you’d struggle to even imagine. More than 20,000 different models have been created to date, and currently over 130 new car designs are introduced each and every year. A dedicated team works to render real-world cars in miniature form and come up with entirely new vehicles: it could be a branded car for one of the company’s 350 partners – everyone from motoring personalities such as Magnus Walker to big-name manufacturers – or a new variation on the hot-rod theme, or a Star Wars or Toy Story character car.

That variety is one of the highlights of the job, according to Jun Imai, who has been at Hot Wheels for 14 years and leads the transportation design team. About three-fifths of the designs the team works on are licensed vehicles replicating the kind of modern cars and classics you’ll see on the road, while the remainder are what the company calls Hot Wheels Originals, from the pop culture-themed toys to fantasy vehicles directly from the minds of the designers.